'So they really did go with a swift assault.'
Bell wasn't surprised.
When up against an enemy confirmed to be Level 7, adjusting tactics like this was only natural. Charging in head-on despite knowing you're outmatched would just be suicide.
Against an opponent clearly stronger than you, the only viable move is to seize the initiative and never let go.
'Well then, time to show a little strength.'
The Spirit, with a human upper body and a monstrous lower half, opened its blood-red eyes.
"AHHHHHH!!!"
Its frenzied roar echoed through the rainforest—pure madness radiating from its voice. And with it came an overwhelming aura, unmistakably belonging to a Level 8.
That pressure alone caused Finn and the others charging forward to stumble in shock.
'Something's wrong!'
They all felt it. But now wasn't the time to speak—the Spirit was right in front of them. Even if their instincts screamed danger, they had no choice but to press forward.
But the hesitation at their feet was enough—the Spirit had already seized its chance.
Countless thorns erupted from the ground, lunging toward Finn at the front.
"Clang!"
Finn blocked them with his spear, but the sheer force of the impact made his arms tremble uncontrollably.
Now he was sure—the Spirit in front of him was no mere Level 7.
Gritting his teeth, he switched hands and drove his spear forward.
"Shhk!"
The spear blade, wrapped in wind, tore through the wave of thorns.
Finn stepped forward, twisted his body, and swept his spear to clear the weakened bramble wall in front of him.
But the moment the thorns were cut, new ones sprouted immediately from the stumps.
"!?"
His eyes widened.
'Dammit! No time!'
"Fwoosh!"
The wind around his spear surged violently, helping him jerk it upward just in time to block another wave.
"Clang!"
The reinforced shaft held against the sudden strike.
Finn quickly took a step back to break the force of the thrust.
But even that minor retreat gave the Spirit another opening.
"Pierce, spear of lightning. Your envoy beseeches you, Tonitrus. Incarnate of thunder. Queen of lightning..."
A short chant!?
That kind of abbreviated incantation couldn't be interrupted—by the time anyone attacked, the spell would already be unleashed.
But if he backed off now, their blitz strategy would fall apart entirely.
They had less than five minutes left.
He couldn't back down now!
Finn knew it too well. He threw aside every hesitation and pressed his fingers against his forehead.
"Magic spear, penetrate my forehead offering blood!"
In that instant, power surged through his body, and his eyes turned crimson.
His body tensed, then launched into the air.
And just then—the Spirit's magic was complete.
Dozens of thunder spears hovered in the sky, all aimed directly at Finn.
"Thunder Ray!"
"AAAHHHHHH!"
With dozens of thunder spears raining down, Finn, now consumed by madness, didn't back down. He charged forward with everything he had.
He gripped his spear with both hands, maintaining balance midair.
"Zzzzt!"
The thunder spears flew at him with incredible speed.
But Finn's masterful technique came through—he deflected them rapidly, shattering more than ten in mere seconds.
"Crack!"
Sparks from the destroyed spears surged through his body, shorting out his nerves and impairing his movements.
"Shhk!"
One of the thunder spears pierced straight toward his chest.
Even with nearly all rational thought gone, Finn's instincts kicked in. He twisted his body in the air—
"Thud!"
—and the spear struck him dead center in the heart.
But in the very next instant, the body it pierced turned into a straw doll. The real Finn had already landed safely on the ground.
His bloodshot eyes locked forward as he dashed ahead.
"Ha!"
From behind, the two Amazon sisters leapt up with a fierce roar, intercepting the remaining thunder spears still midflight.
Within moments, the barrage was completely neutralized—but both sisters were wracked with paralysis from the lightning.
"I'm not stopping here!"
"The captain's still counting on me!"
As Tione hit the ground, veins bulged at her temple. Her rage at her helplessness erupted, forcing her numbed body into motion with sheer will.
"Me too—I won't fall behind!"
"Everyone's pushing forward—I'm not staying behind!"
Tiona's body was scorched with red lightning burns, her limbs heavy and slow—but like her sister, she refused to stop.
Paralyzed or not, she wouldn't let herself be left behind.
Their emotions surged, and that willpower alone pushed their bodies to move, even in their worst state.
Seeing Finn, Tione, and Tiona abandon all defense, the werewolf trailing them finally halted.
And then, he gave everything he had to this battle.
"Bind me—O King of the Starving Wolves!"
"First wound—Gelpja."
Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth.
"Second wound—Gjöll."
His eyes turned bloodshot.
"Third wound—Þviti."
This magic always reminded him of the three most precious people in his life. That's why he hated it more than anything.
But for the sake of victory—for the sake of never seeing another loved one die before him—he embraced the pain.
There was no hesitation in his chant.
"The blood spat from thirst is our only salvation."
"Let rivers of blood be forged, tears cleansing every face."
"Wounds that never heal, sorrow never forgotten. Remember sloth and wrath within hate and rage."
The words echoed his soul.
He never forgot how his weakness let the strong twist his fate. Never forgot the regret of his past failures.
"Hate the world, accept your fate—bleed your tears dry."
"Make fangs of your pain, roars of your cries, strength from your ruined flesh."
"Shatter your chains—let your howl shake the heavens! Carry your rage, become the moon that scorches all beneath it!"
The agony of watching his dearest die three times over had filled him with fury, with a hatred for the world and its injustice.
Yet in the end, he accepted fate—as unchangeable as his and theirs had been.
The tears were gone. But his fury remained.
And this time, he didn't fight for revenge.
He fought for the companions he once wished for, but always pushed away.
Not for himself—for family.
"Bare your fangs—and devour all!"
"Hati!"
In an instant, fire erupted around the werewolf's body, roaring into a blazing inferno.